The Kaduna State government has urged residents in flood-risk zones to move to higher ground immediately.
Usman Mazadu, head of the state’s emergency agency, issued the warning after floods hit Sabon-Gari and Zaria on Monday, damaging homes and property.
News About Nigeria reports that despite forecasts and alerts, some residents failed to evacuate, resulting in significant damage.
Mazadu emphasised the need for cooperation to prevent further disasters.
He noted that the state had taken steps to prepare for the flood, including clearing drains and raising awareness.
However, he lamented that some residents ignored warnings, leading to unnecessary losses.
The agency has been broadcasting public service announcements, but Mazadu feels that more needs to be done to educate people on flood safety.
He appealed to residents to prioritise their safety and relocate to safer areas, stressing that it’s a shared responsibility to protect lives and property.
“As you may recall, we received predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) three months ago, and we took proactive measures to prepare for the flood”, the statement reads.
“Our assessment identified three key issues: inadequate drainages, dumping of refuse, and structures erected within waterways.
“We presented our findings to the governor, who directed the stakeholders to embark on a statewide desilting of old drainages.
“I am pleased to report that this exercise has been completed, which helped minimize the impact of the flood in other predicted areas.
“However, despite our efforts, some residents refused to evacuate, leading to the destruction of properties.
“SEMA had been carrying out public enlightenment campaigns on radio stations, but residents are “yet to understand the essence and purpose of our lives.
“I keep telling stakeholders and people within these flood-prone areas, that the issue of security and safety is not just about the governor, it is not just because we have a governor that is fair hearing, we equally need to understand the fact that we need to safeguard our lives and property.
“Let’s communicate to our brothers and sisters on the negative effect and dangers of living in flood-prone areas
“On behalf of the government of Mallam Uba Sani, we are pleading with people living within flood-prone areas, to evacuate to urban centres.”
